GERMAN AS (Edexcel)

Course Outline

Why choose Pearson Edexcel AS Level German?

We believe languages should appeal to all students. Our new Pearson Edexcel AS Level in German has been developed to inspire all students who have an appreciation of the language, literature, film and culture of the German-speaking world.

Inspiring and engaging Themes

Our qualification features familiar and popular Themes as well as some new content that provides clear links to some of the most fundamental and interesting aspects of the culture of the target language country and communities.

Popular literary texts and films

We offer a rich choice of literary texts and films that includes contemporary and more classical titles, together with authentic source materials from Germany and the wider German-speaking world.

Content and assessment overview

The Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in German consists of two externally-examined papers assessing listening, reading and writing and a non-examined speaking assessment. The speaking assessment is externally set and conducted by a teacher/examiner*. All assessments are marked by Pearson.

Content overview

This paper requires students to translate a previously unseen passage from English into German. This paper also draws on the study of one discrete German work: either one literary text or one film. The work must be taken from the list provided in Appendix 2: Prescribed literary texts and films. The literary texts listed include a range of plays, novellas and novels. All of the films are feature length.

The aims and objectives of this qualification are to enable students to:

enhance their linguistic skills and promote and develop their capacity for critical thinking on the basis of their knowledge and understanding of the language, culture and society of the country or countries where the language is spoken
develop control of the language system to convey meaning, using spoken and written skills, including an extended range of vocabulary, for both practical and intellectual purposes as increasingly confident, accurate and independent users of the language
develop their ability to interact effectively with users of the language in speech and in writing, including through online media
develop language learning skills and strategies, including communication strategies to sustain communication and build fluency and confidence
engage critically with intellectually stimulating texts, films and other materials in the language, developing an appreciation of sophisticated and creative uses of the language and understanding them within their cultural and social context
develop knowledge about matters central to the society and culture, past and present, of the country or countries where the language is spoken

GERMAN (EDX) AS Course Specification

Paper 1: Listening, reading and translation

Written examination: 1 hour and 50 minutes

40% of the qualification
64 mark

Section A: Listening (24 marks)
A listening assessment based on a recording, featuring male and female German speakers. Students will respond to comprehension questions based on a variety of contexts and Sources
Section B: Reading (28 marks)
A reading assessment based on a variety of text-types and genres where students will have to respond to comprehension questions
Section C: Translation into English (12 marks)
An unseen passage to be translated from German to English.

This paper draws on vocabulary and structures across all Themes. Themes are based on the society and culture of the language being studied. Students are not permitted access to a dictionary during the examination.

Paper 2: Written response to work, grammar and translation

Written examination:1 hour and 40 minutes

30% of the qualification
48 marks

Section A: Translation and grammar (16 marks - 12 marks for translation and 4 marks for grammar)
Students translate an unseen passage from English into German, followed by a grammar exercise.
Section B: Written response to works (literary texts) (32 marks)
Students select one question from a choice of two for their chosen literary text. If a student answers a question in this section then they do not complete section C.
Section C: Written response to works (films) (32 marks)
Students select one question from a choice of two for their chosen film. If a student answers a question in this section then they do not complete section B. Students complete Section A and one question from either Section B or C.

This paper requires students to translate a previously unseen passage and complete a grammar exercise based on one of the two themes.This paper also draws on the study of one discrete German works: either one literary text or one film. The literary texts listed include a range of classic and contemporary novels and one play. All of the films are feature length.

This paper includes a translation exercise, a grammar exercise, and an extended response on either one of the literary texts or one film. Students are not permitted access to a dictionary or any documentation relating to the works during the examination.

Paper 3: Speaking

Internally conducted and externally assessed

27-30 minutes

30% of the qualification
48 marks

Task 1 requires students to read and respond to two short texts based on the Theme Changes in German Society and then hold a discussion.

Task 2 is based on a discussion from the Theme Political and Artistic Culture in Francophone Countries.

Students will be assessed on their ability to communicate and interact effectively, summarise and understand written sources in speech, manipulate language accurately and show knowledge and understanding about the culture and society where the language is spoken.

Total assessment time: between 27 and 30 minutes, which includes a single period of 15 minutes formal preparation time

Core textbook
Edexcel German for AS and A Level
Hodder Publications
ISBN-10: 1471858235